Turned away by 30 dentists

A MAN who caused a bust-up at Manchester Dental Hospital when he was refused treatment for his toothache says he was `driven to the edge' after being turned away by 30 NHS dentists. Martin Pearson was arrested after becoming abusive and threatening staff at the hospital. He eventually persuaded a friend to pull out the tooth with pliers. Dental hospital bosses said they provide emergency care, not `a routine dental health service'.

But Mr Pearson, 38, who admitted affray at Manchester Crown Court, says his case highlights how difficult it is to get free dental care in a city where other desperate people have resorted to DIY dentistry.

A shortage of dentists willing to provide NHS treatment have forced health bosses to pump millions of pounds into the system. When the problem was at its height, more than 40 patients a day waited in line outside the dental hospital on Cambridge Street, Hulme.

Mr Pearson, unemployed, said: "I can't afford private treatment and every time I try and get NHS dental treatment I get turned away - and I have been to 30 dentists from Chorlton to Ashton in the last few years.

"When I went to the dental hospital I was having a problem with an infected loose tooth. The infection had spread from one side of my mouth to the other and I had a big abscess over my eye.

"I had terrible shooting pains in my gums and blisters on the roof of my mouth - but they wouldn't treat me. I got a manager out and she just stood there with her arms folded.

"It was the fifth time I had been turned down at the dental hospital and when you ring NHS Direct they give you a number for emergency treatment, but all they do is tell you to get a dentist. I was driven to the edge."

Before being arrested outside the hospital last July Mr Pearson, of Egerton Road South, Chorlton, asked to see a manager and a row followed.

Mr Pearson was said to have sworn and waved a chair above his head, which he denies. He was then thrown out by security and later picked up by police.

He said: "I only pleaded guilty to get it out of the way. My mate pulled the tooth out with pliers two days after I got out of the police station. As soon it was removed the infection went.

"It's the second time I've had to get a mate to help me out - a few years ago one of them had to file some teeth down with pliers when I couldn't get a dentist. I think what's happened to me really shows how inadequate dental care is."

Mr Pearson was given a community service order, with supervision, for 12 months.

Judge Michael Henshell told him: "You committed this offence in a temper which was caused, in particular, because at the time you were suffering from and had been suffering from for a considerable time, toothache and other problems."

Manchester Dental Hospital deals with 90,000 patients a year. A spokesman said: "The Dental Casualty Department provides emergency treatment to prevent the patient's oral health from deteriorating significantly until they can make an appointment with their dentist, but does not provide a routine dental health service.